John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed supporters in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. More details will be published soon.